Les Immigrants et l’espace urbain de Lyon au xvie siècle: une colonie florentine de Lyon

Abstract

Abstract From the early sixteenth century, foreigners had been part of the procession of royal entries into Lyon. Immigration became commonplace after Louis XI granted Lyon four annual free fairs. Among these foreigners, Florentines were notable for their number and their wealth, and their solid relationship with royalty. The role of ‘nations’ was crucial in the settlement of Italian immigrants in Lyon. The Florentine ‘nation’ (merchant community) had its own constitution, consisting of fifty articles that managed its organization and defended its rights. This article shows how the Florentines took root in Lyon, influenced their place of residence, and chose either settlement or emigration. The presence of ‘nations’ was pivotal in determining the extent to which Italians sought citizenship. In France, the king had a right of windfall (‘droit d’aubaine’) to take possession of the bequests of foreigners who lived and died in the kingdom, and naturalization was necessary to exempt them from this right. The article also examines the relationship between ‘droit d’aubaine’ and naturalization. By analysing the migration of Italians to Lyon and their activities thereafter, this article aims to shed light on the relationship between urban society and ‘others’ in the sixteenth century.